Compaq Presario SR1500 - Desktop PC User manual

This document contains important information about creating data, audio, and
video discs on your PC, including:
•Creating Audio and Data Discs
•Creating Video Discs and Movies
This document updates the information found in your Getting Started Guide.
Please keep this document with your PC documentation for future reference.
Refer to the Getting Started Guide for additional installation information.
For additional assistance or information, you can go to the HP Technical Support
Web site at: http://www.hp.com/support
Creating Data, Audio, and
Video Discs on your PC

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Table of Contents iii
Table of Contents
Creating Audio and Data Discs ....................................................... 1
Erasing Rewritable Discs Before Recording ...................................................... 2
Working with Audio CDs .............................................................................. 2
Verifying audio disc recorded without errors ............................................... 3
Audio CD tips ......................................................................................... 3
Creating audio CDs................................................................................. 4
Creating jukebox discs............................................................................. 4
Working with Data DVDs and CDs................................................................. 5
Verifying data disc recorded without errors................................................. 5
Data disc tips .......................................................................................... 6
Creating data discs.................................................................................. 6
Copying a DVD or CD .................................................................................. 7
Archiving Files on a CD or DVD ..................................................................... 8
Working with Image Files.............................................................................. 8
Creating an image file ............................................................................. 9
Burning from an image file ....................................................................... 9
Disc Labeling with LightScribe ........................................................................ 9
LightScribe requirements......................................................................... 10
Burning a LightScribe label with Sonic Express Labeler............................... 10
Burning a LightScribe label after burning with iTunes.................................. 11
Using adhesive disc labels...................................................................... 12
Compatibility Information ............................................................................ 12
Disc Features and Compatibility Table .......................................................... 13
Optical Drive Quick Reference Table ............................................................ 14
Software Quick Reference Table................................................................... 15

iv Creating Data, Audio, and Video Discs on your PC
Creating Video Discs and Movies.................................................. 17
Before You Begin Capturing Video ............................................................... 17
Sonic MyDVD Video Projects ....................................................................... 18
Creating a Video Project ............................................................................. 18
Adding files to a video project ................................................................ 19
Capturing video to a video project .......................................................... 19
Adding slide shows to a video project ..................................................... 20
Adding submenus to a video project........................................................ 20
Editing the style of a video project........................................................... 21
Editing movie files ................................................................................. 21
Burning a video project to disc................................................................ 22
Creating a Video Project with Direct-to-Disc Wizard ....................................... 23
Video Quality and Disc Size........................................................................ 24
DVD Recording Time .................................................................................. 25

Creating Audio and Data Discs 1
Creating Audio and Data Discs
This chapter contains the procedures you must perform to record (or burn) music
and data files to recordable CD and DVD discs. It also includes information about
labeling your discs using the LightScribe labeling technology included on select
models.
For information about recording video files to DVDs, see “Creating Video Discs
and Movies” on page 17.
Your PC includes one or more CD, DVD, or combination optical drives capable of
recording. Additionally, your PC may include the following software programs for
recording to CDs or DVDs:
•iTunes
•Windows Media Player
•Sonic MyDVD Plus (select models only)
•Sonic DigitalMedia Plus
•Windows XP
These programs include features that enable you to copy, archive, and manage
music and data files and then record the files to CDs or DVDs. You can also use
iTunes or Windows Media Player to download and copy music files to a portable
device or memory card.
IMPORTANT: HP supports the lawful use of technology and does not endorse
or encourage the use of our products for purposes other than those permitted by
copyright law.
NOTE: Burn is an industry term used to describe the recording of information onto
a DVD or CD. Optical recording uses a laser beam to place information onto the
disc, thus the term burning.

2Creating Data, Audio, and Video Discs on your PC
Erasing Rewritable Discs Before
Recording
Previously recorded files on CD-RW, DVD-RW, or DVD+RW discs must be erased
before recording new files. CD-R, DVD-R, and DVD+R discs cannot be erased.
To erase a rewritable disc in Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:
1Open the DigitalMedia Plus program by clicking Start, All Programs,
Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.
2Click Tools and then Erase Disc.
3Insert the rewritable disc you want to erase.
4Click the Quick Erase or Full Erase option, and then Erase Disc.
Working with Audio CDs
Sonic DigitalMedia Plus enables you to create audio CDs that play in your car or
home CD player, and on PCs. You can create two main types of music CDs:
• Uncompressed — Typical CD format like you would purchase on a
commercial CD. This type of CD will hold 10 to 20 songs depending on
their length.
Uncompressed files can be burned on CD-Rs (which play in most home and
car stereos, DVD players, and computers) or CD-RWs (which play only in some
stereos, DVD players, and computers).
The procedure for creating this type of CD is described in “Creating audio
CDs” on page 4.
•Compressed—Files are burned to a disc using a compressed file format
(MP3, WMA, or M4A). The smaller file format enables you to fit approximately
ten times as many songs onto the disc (depending on length and format).
Compressed files can be burned to CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVDs, DVD-RWs, or
DVD+RWs (select models only). Compressed files can only be played on
computers, CD players, or DVD players that support the file format you use to
create the disc (MP3 is most commonly supported). For file format compatibility,
check the documentation for the device where you intend to play the disc. You
may hear a slight loss of sound quality using compressed audio files.
The procedure for creating this type of CD is described in “Creating jukebox
discs” on page 4.

Creating Audio and Data Discs 3
For more compatibility information, see “Disc Features and Compatibility Table” on
page 13.
Both Sonic programs create closed-session music CDs, which means you must
record all music files on one CD in one recording session. Music files can be
recorded repeatedly on a rewritable CD-RW disc, but all previously recorded
files must be erased first. CD-R discs cannot be erased.
Verifying audio disc recorded without errors
When copying or burning audio files to CD, it is recommended that you use Sonic
DigitalMedia Plus because it includes a feature that confirms that your disc has been
created without errors.
This data verification feature is enabled by default.
To check the status of the write verification feature in DigitalMedia Plus:
1Open the DigitalMedia Plus program by clicking Start, All Programs,
Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.
2Click Tools, and then Options.
3In the Options window, click Copy.
4Ensure the Verify copied data discs option is checked.
5Click OK.
Audio CD tips
When recording music files, it is important to note that:
•To play your music CD in a home or car stereo, it needs to be recorded as a
music CD in CD audio (CDA) format, not as a data CD.
•As you add music files in the recording session, DigitalMedia Plus calculates
and displays the amount of recording time available to record additional
music files.
•You can’t record song titles unless you make an exact copy of a music CD in
your collection.
IMPORTANT: HP supports the lawful use of technology and does not endorse
or encourage the use of our products for purposes other than those permitted by
copyright law.

4Creating Data, Audio, and Video Discs on your PC
•If your recording fails, manually select a slower recording speed, if available,
each time you make a recording. Refer to the Help menu in your selected
software program for more information about selecting a slower recording
speed.
•If you try to record more than a standard CD can hold, a message displays
warning you that all the tracks may not fit on your disc.
Creating audio CDs
To create uncompressed audio CDs using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:
1Open the DigitalMedia Plus program by clicking Start, All Programs,
Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.
2Click the Audio tab and then Audio CD.
3Do one or more of the following:
•Click Add Music and navigate to music stored on your PC.
•In the Quick Find panel, click Scan to automatically search your PC
for songs.
•Insert a CD and add songs from it.
4Select the songs you want to record, and then click Add.
5Click the Burn icon when you have added all the audio files to your
music CD project.
6When prompted, insert a blank CD-R or CD-RW disc. If you want to
play your music CD in your home or car stereo, use a CD-R disc.
CD-RW discs may not play in some stereos.
7Click OK.
You can get detailed online help by clicking the Help menu and then
selecting Help.
Creating jukebox discs
To create compressed (jukebox) music CDs or DVDs using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:
1Open the DigitalMedia Plus program by clicking Start, All Programs,
Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.
2Click the Audio tab, and then Jukebox CD/DVD.
3Do one or more of the following:
•Click Add Music and navigate to music stored on your PC.
•In the Quick Find panel, click Scan to automatically search your PC
for songs.
•Insert a CD and add songs from it.
IMPORTANT: HP supports the lawful use of technology and does not endorse
or encourage the use of our products for purposes other than those permitted by
copyright law.

Creating Audio and Data Discs 5
4Select the songs you want to record, and then click Add.
5Click the Burn icon when you have added all the audio files to your
music CD project.
6When prompted, insert a blank disc.
DVD discs can store significantly more music files than a CD. Jukebox discs can
only be played on computers, CD players, or DVD players that support the file
format you use to create the disc (MP3 is most commonly supported).
For file format compatibility, check the documentation for the device where you
intend to play the disc.
7Click OK.
You can get detailed online help by clicking the Help menu, and then
selecting Help.
Working with Data DVDs and CDs
Unlike audio CDs and jukebox DVDs, data DVDs and CDs can be recorded in
multiple sessions.
Verifying data disc recorded without errors
When copying or burning data files to DVD or CD, it is recommended that you use
Sonic DigitalMedia Plus because it includes a feature that confirms that your disc
has been created without errors.
This data verification feature is enabled by default.
To check the status of the write verification feature in DigitalMedia Plus:
1Open the DigitalMedia Plus program by clicking Start, All Programs,
Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.
2Click Tools and then Options.
3In the Options window, click Data.
4Ensure the Verify data written to the disc after burning box is checked.
5Click OK.
NOTE: DigitalMedia Plus scans for all audio files, even the sounds from your
operating system. If you don’t want to display some of these sounds, you can select
the Options icon (wrench), and then select Audio. Select Hide Audio Files
Shorter Than (in seconds), and then type the number of seconds, and click OK.

6Creating Data, Audio, and Video Discs on your PC
Data disc tips
When storing data files on a disc, it is important to note that:
•You can add new data files to a CD-R, DVD+R, or DVD-R in a later
recording session, until the disc is full. With DVD+R or DVD-R discs,
insert your partially recorded DVD, click the Wrench icon to display
the Options window, click Data, select the first Write-Once DVD
Compatibility option, and then click OK.
•When you record files that have the same name as previously recorded files,
Sonic DigitalMedia Plus updates the file and the previous version is overwritten.
•Sonic DigitalMedia Plus allows you to change the names of files you want to
record and the files that were previously recorded.
•As you select data files to record to your disc, Sonic DigitalMedia Plus
calculates and displays the amount of recording space used on your disc.
•If your recording fails, manually select a slower recording speed, if available,
each time you make a recording. Refer to the Help menu in your selected
software program for more information about selecting a slower recording
speed.
Creating data discs
To create data CDs or DVDs using Sonic DigitalMedia Plus:
1Open the DigitalMedia Plus program by clicking Start, All Programs,
Sonic, and then DigitalMedia Home.
2Click the Data tab, and then click Data Disc.
3Do one or more of the following:
•Click Add Data and navigate to files stored on your PC.
•In the Quick Scan panel, select a type of file to search for, and then click
Scan to automatically search your PC for the selected file type.
•Insert a CD or DVD that contains the file you want to add.
4Select the files you want to record, and then click Add.
5To name your disc, click Volume Label, and then type a name over it. Sonic
DigitalMedia Plus assigns a name based on the recording date if you do not
type a name.
6Click the Burn icon when you have added all the files to your data
project.
7When prompted, insert a blank or appendable disc.
DVD discs can store significantly more files than a CD.
8Click OK.